18 Everyday Products That Used to Be Made Better
Discover how common household items and everyday essentials were once built to last — and why they no longer are.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Many of today’s everyday products just don’t hold up like they used to. From furniture to electronics, companies have shifted from durability to disposability, often favoring cost over quality. This list explores 18 once-superior products that have gradually declined in craftsmanship, material, and lifespan.
1. Light Bulbs
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Older incandescent bulbs could glow for decades — some still do. Modern versions, despite energy efficiency, often burn out faster. Planned obsolescence has replaced longevity.
2. Jeans
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Denim from decades ago was thick, rugged, and built to withstand real wear and tear. Today’s mass-produced jeans are thinner, stretch-prone, and often wear out within months.
3. Refrigerators
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Fridges from the ’60s and ’70s were like tanks — many are still running today. Current models are sleeker but packed with fragile electronics that fail more often.
4. Tools
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Your grandfather’s wrench set might still work perfectly. Many modern tools are made cheaply from low-grade metal. The shift from forged steel to cut corners means quicker breakage.
5. Furniture
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Solid wood and craftsmanship once defined furniture. Today, it’s mostly particle board, glue, and flat-pack shortcuts. What was once handed down from generation to generation is now dumped at the curb within a few years.
6. Televisions
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Old tube TVs were clunky but lasted for decades. Flat-screens now might die just outside their warranty. Fragile parts and rapid tech upgrades make them short-term investments.
7. Toys
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Vintage toys were sturdy and built from metal, wood, or thick plastic. Today’s toys are light, easily breakable, and often tied to a short-lived trend. Many can’t survive a week of rough play.
8. Phones
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Early mobile phones could be dropped, kicked, or drowned and still function. Today’s smartphones are powerful but delicate, requiring constant care. Screens shatter easily, batteries degrade quickly, and repairs cost a fortune.
9. Shoes
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Classic shoes were made of leather with replaceable soles and fine stitching. Modern pairs are mostly glued and synthetic, wearing down fast and often are impossible to repair.
10. Mattresses
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Decades ago, mattresses were filled with steel springs and cotton, and flipping them was a standard practice. Now, many are made with foam that breaks down quickly and come with “no-flip” designs.
11. Radios
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Old-school radios from brands like Zenith or RCA could outlive their owners. Today’s Bluetooth speakers and streaming gadgets offer convenience but not longevity.
12. Coffee Makers
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Grandma’s percolator could brew daily for decades. Modern coffee machines, particularly those using pods and drip models, tend to clog, leak, or stop working within a couple of years.
13. Cookware
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Cast iron and copper pans were once the gold standard in kitchens. Now, non-stick pans with questionable coatings dominate shelves and wear out quickly.
14. Washing Machines
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Machines built in the ’80s or ’90s are still running in basements today. New ones, loaded with sensors and digital features, break more frequently and are more difficult to repair.
15. Alarm Clocks
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Analog clocks with dials and bells could wake up generations without fail. Digital models today are prone to glitches and fail with power cuts or software bugs. Even smartphones, used as alarms, are vulnerable to battery failure or incorrect settings.
16. Eyeglasses
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Frames used to be made of metal, strong, and designed to last. Today, plastic is the norm — easily warped, cracked, or broken. Even expensive glasses often lack the ruggedness of earlier decades.
17. Backpacks
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Military-grade canvas or leather was once standard for student and travel bags. Now, thin nylon and plastic zippers dominate, tearing and breaking within a year.
18. Cars
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Vehicles from the ’70s and ’80s were built to be repaired, not replaced. Modern cars are overloaded with technology, sensors, and systems that often fail more frequently and are more expensive to repair.